Our Story
Every story has a beginning. This is ours…
History of Templeogue Parish
The foundation stone of St Pius X Church was laid on 9 th November 1958 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid and the Church opened on the 27 th November 1960, first as part of Terenure Parish and then in 1964 we became a Dublin Diocesan Parish in our own right, with our Girls and Boys Schools opening in 1965. Canon Joseph Union, the Parish Priest who had responsibility for the building of the church had great devotion to St Pius X due to him being Roman Pontiff while Canon Union was studying in the Irish College in Rome. Fr Joseph Sarto (later becoming Pope Pius X) had served in parish and Diocesan ministry for 45 years before becoming Pope in 1903 and he continued being the loving and understanding Parish Priest for the remainder of his life. Pope Pius X is particularly remembered for his encouragement of the faithful to receive frequent (even daily) communion, for enabling children to receive First Holy Communion at the age of 7, and for his great aspiration ‘To renew all things in Christ’.
This new parish first developed and grew in the 1960’s and 1970’s as a faith community or Dubliners moving further out from the city and of country people moving closer to the city. Families were raised, work was done, much was shared, community was built and faith was lived.
Our Patron Saint
Giuseppe Melchore Sarto was born of humble parents on June 2, 1835, in the small village of Riese near Venice. His father, a village official, and his mother raised Giuseppe in a loving Christian home. It was this home situation which prompted Giuseppe, after his college days in Castelfranco,to enter the seminary in Padua. Giuseppe Sarto was ordained at the age of 23 on September 18, 1858. His first assignment was as curate in the city of Trombolo. After nine years he was transferred to Salzano as pastor, a position he held for eight years. Due to his pastoral and administrative abilities, his bishop named him spiritual director of the diocesan major seminary and chancellor of the archdiocese, a position he held from November, 1875, until his elevation to the episcopacy of Mantua in 1884.
After nine years as bishop he was transferred to Venice as the city’s patriarch and cardinal. Giuseppe Cardinal Sarto won the hearts of the Venetians through his humble spirit of poverty and his love for the Church, especially in the areas of education, Catholic action and liturgy. After the death of Leo XIII the conclave of 1903 elected Cardinal Sarto pope despite his own hesitancy to accept the office of Vicar of Christ. The new pope assumed the name Pius X. As Supreme Pontiff, Pius took as his motto the passage from Paul, “To restore all things in Christ, that Christ might be all and in all” (I Cor. 15:28), a goal which was particularly important during that period of the Church’s emergence into the modern world. He died on August 20, 1914, at the age of 79. He was canonized St. Pius X on May 29, 1954. The universal Church celebrates his holy life and example on August 21. He was the first pope in modern times to be canonized.
Words of Pope St Pius X
‘My hope is in Christ, who strengthens us all by His Divine help.
I can do all in Him who strengthens me.
His Power is infinite, and if I lean on him, it will be mine.
His Wisdom is infinite, and if I look to Him for counsel, I shall not be deceived.Christ’s goodness is infinite,
and if my trust rests in Him, I shall not be abandoned’.
A Prayer inspired by the words of Pope St Pius X
Lord, in my need I turn to You in prayer.
I firmly believe that All my strength is in You.
In life I will bear weariness, face difficulties, ignore offences,
confront storms, fight against
what is wrong, and live by example,
trusting You are always by my side.
You Lord Jesus will always be
my Hope and my Help.
Guide me to be open to your
loving grace. Amen.
There are copies of the prayer card available in the church porches, so please do take one home with you.
Prayer to St Pius X
Wooden Sculpture above was made by Sculpture Artist Schmalzl Harald (Bolzano Italy)
Glorious Pontiff, Saint Pius, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in Heaven. I give myself to you that you may always be my father, My protector, and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent Love of the interior life after your own example.
Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, teach me to love Holy Mass And Holy Communion as the source of all grace and holiness, And to receive this Sacrament as often as I can. Gentle father of the poor, help me to imitate your charity Toward my fellow men in word and deed. Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently And with perfect resignation to the will of God. Loving Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace Of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Pius, beloved Holy Father, I humbly implore your powerful Intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the Graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favour ………………….(mention your request).
Great Pontiff, whom Holy Mother Church has raised to the honour Of our altars and urged me to invoke and imitate as a Saint, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s holy will, My petition will be granted through your intercession for Me at the throne of God.
Saint Pius, pray for me and for those, I love. I beg of you by your love Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
(In thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed on Saint Pius X say: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father….3 times)